Michael Jackson mania reached fever pitch over the last couple of weeks as fans and even people who only sorta liked his music plundered stores and online music sites for every Michael Jackson song they could find. Even ‘Heal the World’, arguably the soppiest song every written, has had more airplay over the last 14 days than the past 14 years. But his music isn’t the only thing flying off the shelves; fans can’t get enough of Michael Jackson’s shoes.
Aside from the fortune being made on e-Bay and similar online auction sites as memorabilia collectors try to outbid each other on various pairs of the star’s shoes, shoe manufacturer Repetto is battling to keep up with demand for their replica Michael Jackson shoes. Repetto, which specialises in dance shoes, created a Jackson Jazz shoe based on Michael’s “Smooth Criminal” days.
Jackson Jazz Shoe
You know the kind, the shiny black ones in which he performed his entire repertoire of moves, the ones in which he leaned forward at impossible angles and which made everyone think he was a dancing god with incredible body control. Well, apparently Repetto now has a waiting list for the Jackson Jazz at their store in Paris and has stepped up production at all factories. Shoe hanger and boot clips manufacturers can’t keep up with demand as people order the means to keep their Michael Jackson shoes in mint condition.
At £150 the shoes are not cheap but that’s unlikely to stop the Jackson mad populace from getting a pair. Leading the way is global fashion icon, Kate Moss. Apparently Kate has been a fan of Repetto dancing shoes for years, and felt that the Michael Jackson Jazz shoe was a fitting way to pay tribute to the man who for decades has been hailed as the King of Pop.
Interestingly, Jackson patented the design for his original Smooth Criminal shoes. The patent includes a system that allowed Michael Jackson to slot the shoes onto a peg, enabling him to lean at 45-degree angles with a little more ease than one would have thought.
And in case you were thinking of hopping onto e-Bay to take your shot at bidding on a pair of authentic Michael Jackson shoes, the shoes he wore onstage in the movie ‘Moonwalker’ are set to sell for a cool $21 million. But don’t worry, shipping is free.